The `new` Daphne`s California Greek Café

LIFESTYLE
BY SUSAN BELKNAPP
LUNCH
The ‘new’ Daphne’s California Greek Café
If you haven’t been there lately, you need to get back.
Traditionally, we cover full-service restaurants in this space, but recently we’ve seen
a surging dining niche that demands attention, particularly because the roots of one
top eatery run deep in Orange County.
The Daphne’s Greek Café chain was
acquired in 2010 by O.C. resident and
entrepreneur Bill Trefethen, who immediately re-imagined the 56-unit chain and
created a brand-new California-inspired
Mediterranean menu concept – plus hip
interiors, a focus on sustainable building
materials and original music playlists. The
result is one of the most impressive fastcasual restaurants I have ever encountered,
with high-quality, innovative items that
rival any full-service establishment.
I first experienced the new Daphne’s
last December, and I have been back
an embarrassing number of times. The
food is, quite simply, addicting. I have a
penchant for the wraps – either chicken or
beef with roasted vegetables and avocado,
served with a side of Greek yogurt; they’re
fantastic.
The item that I’ve found myself craving the most is Daphne’s Fire Feta with
multigrain pita chips, which I first tried at
a tasting a few months ago. Now I’ve taken
up attempting to duplicate the recipe at
home (but haven’t quite succeeded); it’s so
good. This spicy dip is the perfect appetizer
or mid-afternoon snack, and it goes great
as an accompaniment to the menu item of
your choice
The menu continues to evolve and
ranges from traditional Greek – featuring
fresh-carved gyros, hummus and baklava
– to fusion, with favorites such as flatbread
pizzas and pita burgers with guacamole.
Whichever you choose, you are sure to get
artfully prepared dishes with the freshest
ingredients available.
Additionally, the low-calorie grilled
salmon plate with roasted vegetables, seasoned rice pilaf and fresh pita is the healthiest, tastiest $11.99 entrée you’re likely to
find anywhere. daphnesgreekcafe.com
the
bites
DON’T MISS THE SALADS!
I have yet to find fresher, more innovative salads
at these prices. Standouts are the California Greek
off the regular menu. The summer menu offers a
chicken strawberry and my new favorite: mango
shrimp salad.
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A JUICY TIDBIT
The music program comes from the development of a company
playlist and is integral to the restaurant chain’s yearlong rebranding effort. Recognizing and sharing new music is part of Daphne’s
efforts to cultivate a more modern lifestyle concept that appeals to
a broader segment of active and health-oriented consumers.
HEADLINES IN YOUR HAND | O C M E T R O.C O M /A P PS
5/23/12 3:33 PM